Page 46 of Summer Ride

“A baby,” Carter said, pulling her into his arms.

“A baby,” she said with a sigh. Tears continued to soak his shirt. “You’re okay with this?” she asked him.

He laughed and then pulled back to kiss her.

“Mmm.” She pushed back. “I need a toothbrush.” She held her hand over her mouth.

Carter smiled at her. “I love you.”

Kara swallowed hard and felt her heart almost drop in her chest.

“I am so very happy right now.” He cupped her face. “You have just made this the best day of my life.”

“It’s early still,” she said, holding a hand over her flat stomach.

Carter moved closer and laid his hand over hers. “Early, but still, I already love it as much as I love you.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll find you some mouthwash and wipes.”

She was grateful to be able to clean up a little when he came back with those items. Still, her clothes were soiled, and she desperately wished for a shower.

“Did Lea say when we can go home? I want a shower,” she asked, growing a little anxious.

“No, when she comes back…” Carter started to answer.

Just then, there was a loud commotion in the ER beyond their room.

Kara heard a child crying and started to get up.

“No, I’ll go see,” Carter said quickly. “Stay.”

He disappeared out of the glass doors only to return quickly.

“Broken bones,” he said with a smile. “A little boy fell off his bike.”

She relaxed back. “I need to know,” she told him.

“I know.” He nodded. “I’ll go see if I can find—” He broke off when Lea rushed around the corner.

“You said motel.” She motioned to Kara. “Soon, this room is going to be swarming with Brett’s friends. Brett’s called that fancy law firm the Costas use. Until one of the men in expensive suits gets here, I’d stay quiet.” She turned to Carter. “Both of you,” she said, just as four officers stepped inside.

“Kara Regan?” a young brown-haired police officer asked.

“Yes,” Kara answered. “Did you find the girl?”

The man shifted towards her and instead of answering, said, “We have a few questions for you. It might be best if you come down to the station.”

Chapter Fourteen

Carter had never been interrogated before. Nor, he thought quickly, would he ever want to be again.

Even though he knew the officers and knew the two detectives were just doing their job, he hated how they made him feel… dirty. As if he had some inside information that he was purposely keeping from them.

Well, okay, he was keeping Kara’s past from them. But it wasn’t his story to tell. And they didn’t know how much of her past she’d told him.

He doubted Kara was keeping all the important information from the detectives who were working on the case. After all, it was obvious she wanted the little girl to be found.

At this point, no one could confirm or deny that the girl was safe, which had his gut twisting in knots the entire time they were being interviewed. Kara had been taken into one room, while he was shuffled into another.

After Lea had released Kara from the hospital, they’d been driven to the station in the back of a cruiser. They hadn’t been handcuffed, but they had sure been treated as if they were both suspects in the little girl’s disappearance.